Rating: 
Summary: Impressive Fantasty
Review: A Game of Thrones is an impressive work of fantasy, though the characters can be frustrating at times. It is a fun read, and even though it's quite long, it's a short read, simply because of its page-turning ability.I did not give this book 5 stars because I dislike reading works where the sex of the author is blindingly apparent. I will continue to read this series because, don't get me wrong, I did thoroughly enjoy the book, however, I tire very quickly of battle scenes page after page, long descriptions of sword-play, and violent degradation of women. Rape is very common in this book and there are few female characters that are sympathetic and strong. I would rather have few female characters period, rather than several female characters that I really hate for their weak resolve and whiny personalities. All that being said, however, I have not read the next book and the end of A Game of Thrones did hint at partly redeeming itself in A Clash of Kings. It is good enough that I want to read the whole series but CERTAINLY not nearly as good as authors like Tolkien or Ursula Le Guin.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is one of the best books that I've read in the sci-fi/fantasy genre in a long time. The book is a fairly large text - which readers of the genre should be used to. Martin is a very good writer and his style is accessible. With each chapter taken from a certain character's point of view, the entire story unfolds its many subplots with perfection. This book is much better than Robert Jordan's series. The characters in Martin's book are extremely well-developed and it is impossible to select a favorite character - each has their own heroic and sinister attributes. This book (series) is also much more "adult" than the Dragonlance/Forgotten Realms series, so those who grew bored with those book will find something new in Martin. If I had to rank the series, I'd say somewhere between Lord of the Rings and Brooks' 'Shannara' series - which means this is quite excellent. A feature that I enjoyed was although there are elements of magic/other-world, the book is not overwrought with them. i.e. the characters are not running around casting spells and flying dragons everywhere. I would recommend this book with no reservation.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: I Love this book. I have not liked an author this much since Robert E. Howard.
Rating:
Summary: simply awesome
Review: If you are getting tired of reading the same old rehashed fantasy stories then don't worry any longer. Mr. Martin is on his way to creating one of the best fantasy series of our time. I find it hard to sleep when I lie in bed with these books, the story is so engrossing. The characters are so real, the story is not unbelievable(ie characters coming back from the dead because of some ridiculous magic spell). Although be warned, the book is not for the faint of heart, there are some pretty explicit scenes. If you can get past that then you will have stumbled upon an epic in the making. Do yourself a favor, and pick this book up, even if your not a die hard fantasy fan. It may make you change your mind.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I LOVE this series! This is high fantasy at its best; full of intrigue, rich detials, realism and a plot that keeps you hooked. As one who never went in for "high" fantasy (the thought of Tolkein makes me shudder - ugh), I was suprised how quickly the first pages of this book grabbed me - I was hooked and stayed up half the night with it! I think it took me three days to read it cover to cover and I've been eagerly awaiting each installment ever since. I've read all three books in the series and can find no faults with any of them!
Rating:
Summary: The best modern fantasy has to offer
Review: It is no exaggeration to say that among the ever-increasing number of multi-volume fantasy series littering the shelves, each thicker (and worse) than the last, George R.R. Martin's "Song of Fire and Ice" series is easily the best. With masterful prose, a twisting story that never finds rest, and characters that live and breathe, "A Game Of Thrones" sets into a motion a tale that will no doubt stand as a high point in modern fantasy. Lovers of high fantasy; epic war stories; tales of royal intrigue; and character-based, plot-driven stories will not be disappointed by this story. Those looking for another "young man goes on a quest" or "a dark lord is rising" story, however, will be. Martin manages to throw away every modern fantasy cliche yet makes an eminently readable fantasy tale. There is little not to like here. The cast of characters is huge, and Martin manages to make us believe them all. We hate them, we love them, we loathe them and we pity them. But most important of all, we BELIEVE them. The characters are consistent, complex and fascinating. They're also in danger at every moment. Martin, you see, has no qualms about killing off major characters. Moments of tension truly are tense because it is established very early on that main characters can and will die. And their deaths make sense, never played for shock value but rather serving the plot in a way that never feels forced, that follows what has come before, and that serves the narrative in a believable fashion. And what an ever-changing narrative it is. If the title "A Game of Thrones" sounds a bit like chess, certainly the plot looks like one, too. Viewpoints change with each chapter, and rarely is space wasted in this 800-page tome. Virtually every chapter reveals important information or, more times than not, sends the plot spinning in a new, unexpected (yet perfectly sensible and believable) direction. Martin teases you with obvious plot twists that never take place, then sends you reeling when you doubt the obvious only to have it actually happen. No, there is no predicting what will happen next ... and that is a great joy. The story keeps you on your toes. The "fantasy" in this first volume is somewhat minimal, with some strange creatures, hints at others and a sparse bit of magic. Instead, the first book in this series is rooted with a grim tone of realism, a story about people good and evil in conflict, pushing and pulling over honor and power. It's a compelling and truly satisfying read. There is no good reason for any lover of fantasy or medieval historical fiction to not own this.
Rating:
Summary: Comparable to "The Lord of the Rings"
Review: A once peaceful land ruled by one of the many houses is thrust into turmoil when King Robert Baratheon is suddenly killed in a hunting accident. What will become of the benevolent yet resourceful house Stark? Will the manipulative and rich Lannisters win the iron throne? "A Game of Thrones" Is a captivating and beautifully written introduction to the "Song of Ice and Fire" book series, slated to be six books long(but could easily surpass that). The book is comparable to "The Lord of the Rings", in that is incredibly deep, detailed, and enthralling. Right off the bat the book captures its reader's attention using incredible imagery, a deep sense of foreboding, and a wonderfully complex setting. At almost 800 pages, this sprawling epic creates an entire world. While it may get confusing at times, it does get clearer as you learn about all the characters, houses, and societies. If you still have trouble, there is also a very lengthy(and very helpful) appendix in the back of the book that explains who comes from what house and what that house is distingushed for. Each chapter focuses on one character, and there are many characters. But, unlike many other books that do this, it is very hard to play favorites with the characters, as they are all so well developed and defined that you can't help but appreciate even the most sinister characters and their dirty political plots. However, if you're the kind of person who doesn't like politics, long, complex stories, or high level reading, then this book probably isn't for you, as it includes all of the above mentioned elements. All in all, this book is as good as, if not better, than "The Lord of the Rings". And the book series isn't even finished yet. If you like a long read that you can really get into, or a book that you can't put down, then this is definetly for you.
Rating:
Summary: Good Game
Review: Ever since Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings was published, the epic high fantasy trilogy has been virtually unbeatable as far as sales within the inappropriately combined Fantasy and Science Fiction genre. Nearly fifty years after Tolkien, the fantasy trilogy has grown into a loutish beast, producing massive never-ending fantastical soap operas that mix sex, magic, and monsters, with a dollop of that special ingredient that makes them unavoidable to adolescent boys and adults willing to relive there youth at the sacrifice of good solid writing. Now, with the "Rings" as blockbuster movies, and J.K. Rowling as the richest women in Britain, we get a sense that these - never quite 'out' - compendiums are coming back. George R. R. Martin begins his projected six book 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series with the eight hundred page A Game of Thrones. And while this outing doesn't have all the sub-textual brilliance of Tolkien, and does have all those little teenager asides, it stands amongst its peers as a giant. Always captivating, and always verging on breathtaking suspense, 'Game' is more a massive family drama than anything else. The Starks of Winterfell guard the lands to the North. And up in the North, strange things are sneaking down. Meanwhile, the King and his despicable wife are having troubles. Thus the table is set for a feud over rule - a game of thrones - that encompasses several generations of seven massive families and hundreds of extra characters. The only thing more magnificent than the scope is the deft way in which Martin is able to make sense of it all. Each chapter is told from the point of view of a particular character; a device that works excellently in describing multiple points of view as well as in doling out suspense. One chapter may end in a sort of mini-cliffhanger that isn't then resolved until that character's next chapter comes up in the batting lineup. The writing is superb with the only exception being a somewhat late-night sex romp description of everything 'between the sheets' and the often cacophonous anachronisms used to give the characters a period feel. However, once involved in the story, with all those psuedo lit books that are storming the market fresh out of one's mind, there is no doubt that one will enjoy this book, and want to continue with the others.
Rating:
Summary: A Tale of Unequaled Calibar
Review: Total suspense, murder, battle, politics, characters, places, romance and more, these are only suggested for someone who can stomach battle and sift through plots. Very well-written and complex, and, as it has been reviewed, "characters that die". Be prepared for the deaths of the well intentioned more often than those of the cruel, from death in battle to cold-blooded execution. Plots twist and turn, characters are three, even four sided when it comes to loyalty and treason, conquerors and those yet to be conquered. Alliances crumble, old friends turn into new enemies, and characters struggle to put together the pieces before long Winter comes, bring creatures of unspeakable horror. Magic is found anew, old Kings die, the new bring change-for better or for worse. Life and death mixes in this extreme battle that is a legacy to the bravest, a note to the powerful, and an extreme awakening to the impartial. A story of commoners to Kings at their best and worst, strongest and most vulnerable-and a true tale of the undying faith, determination, and spirit of mankind.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Ice and Fire
Review: Strongly reccomended for any fan of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, and leaps and bounds ahead of the norm. In this, the first novel of "A Song of Ice and Fire", he first introduces the Starks and Lannisters, and sets in motion the events that will radically alter the face of a kingdom, destroying and renewing the lives of the participants. Bold in its style, Martin is not afraid to develop his characters, and unlike many fantasy authors, he's equally unafraid of having them meet a violent end. This adds a definite realness to his writing that many contemporary fantasy series lack. His honest writing style actually pulls you into the conflict, and you can almost see yourself in the midst of a battlefield, holding your breath for what might happen next. Although a relatively new author, I believe that George R.R. Martin is destined to leave his mark upon this genre, and I predict that in time, this series will take it's place next to "The Wheel of Time" and (well, slightly below) "The Lord of the Rings" as pillars of fantasy literature.
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